Axi-symmetric mixed compression inlet with variable geometry centerbody

An inlet for use in an aircraft comprising:

• an axisymetric centerbody comprising an inner annular wall and a curved exterior surface of varying height along a longitudinal axis of the centerbody;
• one or more slots, with each slot having an end wall extending radially upward from said inner annual wall of said centerbody and an upper wall extending from said end wall forming an interior cavity within said slot;
• one or more segments slidably mounted upon said inner wall of said centerbody and positioned for reception into said interior cavity of an adjacent slot, wherein a longitudinal channel is formed when said segment is slidably positioned within the slot;
• and a cowl partially enclosed said centerbody wherein a rotatable ring is mounted within said inner wall of said centerbody, and each of said segments are connected to said rotatable ring.

An inlet for use in an aircraft comprising:

• an axisymetric centerbody comprising an inner annular wall and a curved exterior surface of varying height along a longitudinal axis of the centerbody;
• one or more slots, with each slot having an end wall extending radially upward from said inner annual wall of said centerbody and an upper wall extending from said end wall forming an interior cavity within said slot;
• one or more segments slidably mounted upon said inner wall of said centerbody and positioned for reception into said interior cavity of an adjacent slot, wherein a longitudinal channel is formed when said segment is slidably positioned within the slot;
• and a cowl partially enclosed said centerbody wherein each of said segments has one or more rails on a bottom wall for insertion into aligned grooves on said inner wall of said centerbody.

An inlet for use in an aircraft comprising:

• an axisymetric centerbody comprising a curved exterior surface of varying height along a longitudinal axis of the centerbody and a cowl mounted about said centerbody and forming an annular duct therein;
• one or more channels formed on the periphery of said centerbody, with each channel having opposed sidewalls extending longitudinally along said centerbody and a bottom wall connecting said sidewalls;
• and
• one or more slidable segments for insertion into a respective channel, each of said segments having a first portion having a first end hinged to a stationary section of said inlet, and a second portion rotatably connected to said first portion and slidably mounted within opposed grooves of said channel sidewall so that said channel is exposed when said segments slide within said grooves.